We’ve strengthened our existing relationship with GamCare by setting up a pilot referral partnership with the charity’s Leeds Community Gambling Service to help people who’ve got into debt.

GamCare is the UK’s leading provider of free information, advice and support for anyone harmed by gambling – and debt advice is the biggest area of external support its Helpline advisers and treatment practitioners signpost to.

According to GamCare’s latest data, two thirds (66%) of gamblers attending treatment services in 2020/21 reported having debt issues and 80% reported being impacted by financial difficulties.

As part of our joint initiative, GamCare’s Leeds team can now easily transfer clients to us to discuss their financial situation so our advisers can arrange suitable debt solutions based on their individual circumstances.

We’ve also delivered training to GamCare to provide key information about debt advice and our services. Our Special Advice Team has been upskilled too on how gambling affects people’s finances, other areas of their life and the ways GamCare supports those who reach out for support.

Alistair Chisholm, Head of Advice Sector Policy and Partnerships at PayPlan, said: “It’s excellent news that we’re moving onto the next stage in our work with the respected charity GamCare. Debt advice is an important part of reducing gambling-related financial harms. A warm referral into advice is an effective way of ensuring our services are joined-up and welcoming. Our goal is to make advice as comfortable and as easy to access for GamCare clients as we can. We look forward to building up this alliance in the coming months and years.”

Find out more about being a PayPlan referral partner here